Letter from Joe Lane to Rose Greenhow Concerning Stephen Douglas' Nomination and the Convention
1860
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Rose O'Neal Greenhow was a popular socialite in Washington, DC. During the Civil War, she became a spy for the Confederacy. She wrote ciphered (secret code) messages to the Confederates and provided information about Union military plans.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis credited her with helping the South win the First Battle of Bull Run. Greenhow provided a message about the Union troop's movements in time for Brigadier Generals Beauregard and Johnston to meet at Manassas, Virginia. A young woman working with Greenhow named Betty Duvall carried the message wrapped in a tiny black silk purse and wound up in a bun of her hair.
Head of U.S. Intelligence Service Allan Pinkerton observed Rose Greenhow as part of his counterintelligence activities and found sufficient evidence to place her under house arrest. Greenhow claimed she knew she was under surveillance but had defiantly continued her spying activities. Pinkerton and his men searched Greenhow's home and seized documents including letters, maps, notes, ciphered messages, and burnt papers that Rose had tried to destroy in her stove.
After a period under house arrest, Greenhow was transferred to Old Capitol Prison where she continued to send encoded messages and collect secret information. After her hearing, she was deported to Richmond, Virginia, in May 1862. Jefferson Davis sent her on a diplomatic mission to Europe in 1863. On her return trip to the South on October 1, 1864, the blockade runner the Condor encountered Northern forces and ran aground. Rose Greenhow tried to escape in a rowboat, but it turned over and she drowned.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis credited her with helping the South win the First Battle of Bull Run. Greenhow provided a message about the Union troop's movements in time for Brigadier Generals Beauregard and Johnston to meet at Manassas, Virginia. A young woman working with Greenhow named Betty Duvall carried the message wrapped in a tiny black silk purse and wound up in a bun of her hair.
Head of U.S. Intelligence Service Allan Pinkerton observed Rose Greenhow as part of his counterintelligence activities and found sufficient evidence to place her under house arrest. Greenhow claimed she knew she was under surveillance but had defiantly continued her spying activities. Pinkerton and his men searched Greenhow's home and seized documents including letters, maps, notes, ciphered messages, and burnt papers that Rose had tried to destroy in her stove.
After a period under house arrest, Greenhow was transferred to Old Capitol Prison where she continued to send encoded messages and collect secret information. After her hearing, she was deported to Richmond, Virginia, in May 1862. Jefferson Davis sent her on a diplomatic mission to Europe in 1863. On her return trip to the South on October 1, 1864, the blockade runner the Condor encountered Northern forces and ran aground. Rose Greenhow tried to escape in a rowboat, but it turned over and she drowned.
Transcript
I dont think that Douglas has declined.The Convention has divided Ten southern states withdrawn, separate organization has taken place, conciliation hardly probable, should they hold out as now a southern man will be nominated, then we will have a triangular fight, result doubtful.
My room is crowded will see you before long.
Yours,
Lane
Joe Lane
(no date)
-1860-
informed Mrs. G. that Douglas can't get the nomination.
Convention divided.
10 Southern States withdrawn.
[in red ink & underlined in middle of page]
No 2 3
Brunole 9
Joe Lane
(no date)
says he is very feeble but will go if Mrs. G. insists upon - is not able to move about as a young man should -
This primary source comes from the General Records of the Department of State.
National Archives Identifier: 1634058
Full Citation: Letter from Joe Lane to Rose Greenhow Concerning Stephen Douglas' Nomination and the Convention; 1860; Letters from Joe Lane to Mrs. Greenhow; Seized Correspondence of Rose O'Neal Greenhow, 8/23/1861 - 8/23/1861; General Records of the Department of State, Record Group 59; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/lane-greenhow, April 18, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.